22 lbs gone! Before and After Pictures

Well,  I did it.  22 lbs are gone (not lost, because I don't plan on finding them again!) and I feel like a million bucks!

I started my health program Take Shape for Life in March of this year.  I am now in the transition phase of the program and couldn't be happier with the results.  

The program not only taught me about how to eat right, but the reasons behind my cravings and fixes for emotional eating.  

I now enjoy working out and am going to the gym 4-5 times a week.  I can't describe the sense of accomplishment I feel now that I can run, jog, spin and weight train.  I feel like an entire new woman! 

I learned that my body isn't a waste basket.  I really notice a difference now that I am eating almost all raw/fresh foods.  My energy level has doubled, I sleep better at night, and I have less headaches.  Not to mention the awesome feeling of hearing "have you lost weight?" or "you look amazing!"  

Little things that would have been a challenge in the past aren't a bother anymore.  Things like touring Washington DC all day without feeling tired or my feet hurting, or even working a full 8 hour day without being tired or feeling completely exhausted when it's time to go home.  I can keep up with my husband in almost every activity!  He has even gotten me hooked on cycling believe it or not!

The journey I stated in March isn't over, I still plan on losing another 15-20 lbs, but I wouldn't have made it this far with out my amazing husband, family, my best friend Jamie and my health coach Alison.  None of you will ever know how much I needed your never ending support!  Thank you!

And now, BEFORE & AFTER:

(Shout out to Ian for helping me with the photos!)

Washington DC

Last weekend Ian and I took a weekend trip to Washington DC to visit with his mom while she was there for a work trip.   We left Friday morning and decided to stop in Baltimore Maryland to visit the home of Edgar Allan Poe.  Anyone who knows me well will smile because there is NO WAY I was going to pass that up.  After our fun side trip we started to head for Virginia. Ian's friend Matthew lives there with his family and they were kind enough to let us stay with them for one night.  They were about 20 minutes from Washington DC, it was perfect!  I was really excited because I had never been to Virginia, it's beautiful!  We had a great time catching up with Matthew and getting to know his family.  Matthews father is retired from the Air Force so we had a lot to talk about!


The next day we picked up Mom from her hotel and we had an awesome breakfast at "Lincolns Waffle Shop" which is across the street from Ford's Theatre (where President Lincoln was assassinated) and a few doors down from the house he died in.  Very cool to see! 


We spent the rest of the day touring some sights in Washington DC including Arlington National Cemetery, The Library of Congress and Mt. Vernon.  Ian and I are already planing a second trip because there are too many things to see!  I could spend an entire day in the Library of Congress, let alone all of the museums and monuments!  


It was a great trip and it was good to see Mom!  We are missing all of our family in Utah and we're looking forward to the next time we can visit with everyone!

The home of Edgar Allan Poe in Baltimore Maryland.

The man himself.

Me standing by the front door.

The house was SO tiny!  Only one person at a time on the stairs, I almost fell off!

Us in front of the grave of Edgar Allan Poe.

He is buried with his wife and mother in law, who are also his cousin and aunt.  Didn't know that did ya?

 Original death mask.

Alrington National Cemetery.  I got emotional before we even saw the graves.  Such an incredible experience.  We were also able to watch the changing of the guard.  It's something everyone should see!

Me :)

Ian's two favorite women!

Us in front of the Capital Building

Lunch in China Town

The Library of Congress, the most beautiful building in Washington DC!

Aren't we going to have good lookin' kids? ;)  In front of the Library of Congress.

Air and Space Museum

George Washington is the man!

Mt. Vernon

That's all for now folks!

Our Happy 1st Year Anniversary!

We can't believe it's been one year already! 

We took a few days off and headed down to southern New Jersey.  We stayed in the Wildwoods which is about 15 min away from Cape May.  Our resort was right on the beach with the boardwalk and 3 pier's not too far away.  What a blast!  Here are some fun photos :)

View from our hotel room balcony!

It was still too cold for me, but Ian tried!

Much better!  Sunny 80 degrees!

Me standing by the Wildwoods famous sign and beach balls.

Us on the boardwalk!

Taking a break during our 45 min bike ride up and down the boardwalk :)

They will deep fry ANYTHING!

Deep fried Oreo's.  Our lives were changed for the better, but we won't be eating those ever again.  Risk of heart attack!

Getting ready to go on some rides at the pier!

Ferris-wheel love.

Fresh squeezed "orangeade."  Very yummy!

We found a 1950's themed diner for lunch :)  

Shark bites!  So delicious.

Dinner at the Pilot House restaurant in Cape May.

Getting ready for our trolley tour through the paranormal sights in Cape May.

It was actually kinda spooky!  

D&C 75:27

D&C 75:27

"Let them ask and they shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto them, and be made known from on high, even by the Comforter, wither they should go."

It has been a rough week.  Nothing crazy or really awful happened, just too many little things that seemed to get under my skin.  Whether it was the stormy weather, Ian and I pushing each others buttons, the long hours at work or the million other things I could list I just didn't know what was going on.  

At work on Tuesday I was having a particularly hard day and wasn't taking it well.  One of those days where you want to either punch someone or crawl back into bed. Maybe both. By mid afternoon I was getting frustrated with patients, already thinking about all the things I had to do when I got home late that night...etc etc.  I began to get discouraged and started to wonder if I was doing anything right.  It sure didn't feel like it.

Then,  I stopped thinking about my pity story and asked my self "What? What is SO bad?"  Immediately I had overwhelming thoughts of  all the blessings I have in my life.  I have a handsome supportive husband who loves me deeply and is working on taking me to the temple with him. Ian and I are active in the gospel and have never been happier. I have the most incredible family I could ever ask for.  Our Temple prep. class has been an incredible experience.  I have lost 19 lbs. (and counting!) Ian is greatly succeeding in his training.  We are completely provided for.  I know that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me, and watches over me every minuscule second of my life.  I have a savior who died for me, who sacrificed everything so that I may return to live with him and my Father in Heaven again.  

And as I sat there in the middle of an optometrist's office staring out the window I felt the presence of someone who loves me very, very much.  My back got warm, and tingly.  The background noise disappeared. I felt as if someone was standing directly behind my chair in a protective sort of way. There was a moment of indescribable peace that seemed to say "I understand, and you are doing a good job."  

Then that feeling of indescribable peace was filled with indescribable joy.  

This morning I woke up with mixed feelings about going to church.  Ian is at work because of the Air Show, the roads are crazy with traffic, most of the ward was going to be gone because of the Air Show, why go?  I have learned that when I start to feel this way it's because there is something I need to do, hear, or say that day in church.  

Low and behold, both of the lessons in Temple Prep. and in Relief Society were on the blessings of going to the Temple!  It put my mind right back where it needed to be, and I realized once again the importance of promptings from the Holy Ghost.  I sat through church with a small grin on my face and thought "Yeah, Shayna, you listened and you did the right thing.  You needed to be here, and you feel so much better."

Anyway I had a prompting to share my little story this week, I felt that it may help someone in the days or weeks to come :)

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful women out there!